Outback Revivals

Pictured: The AAOM annual conference in Hall’s Creek on the first night of the week.

It was such a great honour to take part in the annual Australian Aboriginal Outreach Ministries conference last week. A network of churches from across Australia founded by Pastor Max Wiltshire many years ago has grown into an authentic grassroots movement that relates wonderfully well with Indigenous Australian’s. A big thanks to Pastor Brett and Justine Wiltshire for the invitation. We have so much respect for this couple and the sacrifices they have made to build a church that multiplies and continues to inspire people in genuine cross cultural communication of the Gospel. Brett Wiltshire’s teaching on this subject is the best I have heard in relation to white / black cultured the complex issues that exist here in Australia. Thank you Brett and Justine for your generosity and heart for our nation.

Heroes of the Faith

Pictured: Steve with Pastor Gerard Killah from Looma Community in the West Kimberley region.

 

Despite the negative stories of remote community closures, substance abuse, suicides and crime that are all too commonplace in the news… There is still so much good going on in the Kimberley region of Australia. The churches and mission organisations serving these isolated areas are actively doing great work in the lives of people. Indigenous leaders like Gerard Killah are champions of the faith and steadfastly keep fighting the good fight for the tribal people’s of the west Kimberley. He’s one of my heroes of the faith along with his brother Joey who I first met on my first ever visit to the Kimberley back in the winter of ’91. These men have honoured God, their families and communities so faithfully over the years and continue to put Christ first in their lives and lead the way in humility. I get inspired for life hanging around men like Gerard and Joey and their families.

Outback Missions

Pictured: Kerrie and me and the beloved motorhome ‘Matilda’ with a classic Kimberley backdrop.

Every year we have the privilege of visiting churches and remote communities in the far north west region of Australia. The Kimberley region is still in many ways the last frontier for church planting and missions in our nation. It’s a wild part of the great landscape of Australia. So we know it is not about 'hit and run’ tactics. It’s about relationship building over many years. We are grateful for friends like Bruce and Terri Connell and the church family at Kings Church Kununurra for their faithful dedication to our mission.

Thanks also to the many friends and family who encourage and support this work. It’s not everyone’s 'cup of tea' and yes we do miss home, but it seems this has been God’s call for us to get out there on the road to reach people for Christ and excite churches to mission. In November we celebrate 30 years since stepping out in faith and leaving the security of employment for the adventure of serving God with music and missions. Wow… what a journey!! Thanks for your partnership along the way.. especially to those friends in remote and rural regions.

Choose Life

Pictured:  An abandoned bus near the Pardoo Roadhouse in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

 

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love your God, listen to his voice and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
– Deuteronomy 30: 19-20

The Bible is filled with the parallel’s of life’s journey and those historic travel stories of the people of Israel. Constantly, Moses their leader would relay God’s heart and instructions to them in the hopes they would clearly see that their lives would be so much more fulfilling by obeying His simple instructions and laws. But just like you and me… they seemed to think they could do life without the boundaries. Pride and fear take over from humility and faith and before we know it life looks like the aftermath of a firestorm. So many times the people of Israel ignored God’s grace and chose the selfish road to self destruction. 

I found this burned out bus in a scorched desert a few days ago. A vehicle that used to carry people to destinations left abandoned and destroyed, never to be useful again. It reminded me of what we can allow our lives to become without God’s presence and guidance, without His instructions and grace. Don’t burn out striving in your own strength to  make your life better… Allow the peace of God and the wisdom of His word to lead you to a blessed future. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.– Proverbs 3: 5-6

Choose life simply means to choose God’s word and way for your life, so that the generations to come will thank you for your faithfulness and humility. I like that.

Thanks again for your prayers and support.

Godspeed,
Steve Grace

The Dream of Crossing Australia

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Photo: Chris Tangey (ASFTV).

A few years have passed since I came up with the dream of crossing the continent of Australia on a motorcycle... the hard way. The original dream was to ride an old Harley Sportster on desert tracks from Shark Bay to Byron Bay venturing through some of the great wilderness regions of the Great Southland. The dream was never meant to make sense. It was always a mission destined with potential failure. Just like the journey of life.

So much about life makes no sense and is subject to setbacks and failure. Life is hard. When we get blatantly honest with ourselves we soon realise we cannot do the journey on our own. We were never created to be alone. Crossing Australia the hard way on a Harley Davidson motorcycle doesn’t make much sense… just ask the folks at Harley Davidson head office in Sydney, Australia. They are not interested in supporting the campaign, even though we are doing the ride to fight the curse of depression and suicide that exists like a cancer in remote and rural regions of Australia. Most of the support for the venture is coming from people who have been there… people who have lost loved ones to suicide, some that still struggle with the ‘black dog’ of depression. Support is coming from ordinary people, tradesmen, truckies, paramedics, bikers, small business owners and friends. We are grateful.

"Crossing Australia the hard way on a Harley doesn’t make much sense… just ask the folks at Harley Davidson"

The Crossing Australia expedition is filled with invitations from isolated towns and remote communities who are excited about getting everyone in town together for a BBQ and a concert. These towns know the reality of loss and grief. We want to bring them hope which we know can only come through a relationship with the creator of life.

I want to thank my mate Phil Sprigg and Coates Hire in Western Australia for standing with me in the dream of Crossing Australia. A company that seems to understand the need to bring issues like depression and suicide out of the shadows. Thanks so much for your support. Crossing Australia starts in 28 days.

We’ve started a GoFundMe campaign if you’d like to join the adventure. Otherwise you can subscribe to our YouTube channel and keep updated via FaceBook and Instagram. Thanks for your support.

Farewell to a Legend

Pictured: Steve at the Alice Springs Convention Centre memorial for Billy Hayes.

Our hearts go out to our dear friend Jan Hayes and family who are grieving the loss of her son Billy Hayes. Tragically Billy lost his life while mustering cattle in a small helicopter on July 12th. He was one of the Northern Territory’s favourite sons, a veteran Finke Desert Race champion, a great horseman and grazier, an aviator, husband and father to four sons. Four years ago Billy’s Dad, pioneer cattleman Bill Hayes also lost his life in a mustering accident so for the family it has brought great sorrow. Over 1200 people gathered to farewell Billy and the funeral was streamed live to over 57,000 people throughout the nation. It was an honour to share a song as part of the service. We appreciate your prayers for the Hayes family.

Music, Motorcycles and Mission

Pictured: The old Harley with Taylor Guitar after a short film shoot.

The old Harley worked hard in the Ali Curung community taking local kids for joy rides around the property where the large Cross Celebration took place. There is something very captivating about good music and the roar of a Harley Davidson engine when it comes to getting kids and grown ups together!! Members of the CMA, Christian Motorcyclists Association travelled from NSW, ACT and Victoria to take part in the weekend despite freezing temperatures.

Over the coming months the old Harley will be involved in events across some of the great deserts of Australia. It will be used as a feature in the Crossing Australia venture. We are presenting Depression and Suicide Prevention Concerts in many remote towns and communities on a 5,720km ride from Shark Bay to Byron Bay. It’s only a month away and we are a long way short of achieving the mission at the moment. But every day miracles are happening to confirm the vision! If you’d like to support the project go to www.crossingaustralia.com

SHINE YOUR LIGHT

Pictured: The radiant beauty of a desert wildflower in all its glory.

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Luke 12: 27-31

I must confess there are days when I feel like a 'man of little faith'. Yet I am constantly challenged to keep putting faith into action and test the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness. In the exhausting schedule of ministry over these past weeks this humble cluster of yellow top daisies caught my eye and reminded me to stop and breathe in the majesty of God’s creation. Two simple flower petals shining radiantly under a winter sun with not a worry in the world. I’m reminded that despite all the pressures, programs and deadlines it is vital to rest in the one who made us for his glory and has a way for us to live life. The words of Jesus bring us to that place of peace and empowerment.

Cast all your anxiety on him for he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Thanks again for your interest in the work we are doing in remote regions of Australia. Every week lives are being impacted and we appreciate your partnership in the adventure.

Godspeed,
Steve Grace

The Cross of Ali Curung

Pictured: A beautiful expression of the the Cross in traditional Aboriginal art on display at the Kidman Street Church, Alice Springs.

This coming weekend hundreds of people are gathering at a remote location 170kms south of Tennant Creek to celebrate the victory we have in the Cross. There is a 30m (100ft) high Cross complete with LED lamps waiting to stand in the desert as a reminder to all Australians and to people from every nation on earth that the traditional land owners of the region honour Christ and all He has done through the Cross for the salvation of humanity. We are excited and honoured to be part of this historic event. Please pray that the favour and goodwill established with the Central Lands Council will bring this vision to a conclusion. It’s going to be a great weekend worshipping God in the red desert sands of the Warranbry country.